Combined camp box and bench



May 10 1927.

' 1,628,072 J. I. SMITH I COMBINED CAMP BOX AND BENCH Filed March 24 1926 Sheets-Shget 1' May 10,1927. J. L SW 62 072 COMBINED CAMP BOX AND BENCH 7 Filed March 24. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JOSEPH Z S/v/TH.

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Patented May 10, 1927.

nnrrs STATES JOSEPH SMITH, OF OGDEN, UTAH.

COMBINED CAMP BOX AND BENCH.

Application filed March 24, 1926. Serial No. 97,107.

lily invention relates to a combined camp box and bench.

In accordance with my invention, pro vide a box which is adapted to be mounted upon the running board of an automobile, and detachably held thereon by any sultable means. This box is equipped at its ends with socket handles, which are adapted to receive legs, whereby the box may be supported upon the ground, at a suitable elevation, and will then function as a bench, table or the like. The device is of simple construction, and the legs are formed in pairs which are permanently connected, and collapsible, so that they will occupy the least space when not in use.

I further provide means whereby the box may be quickly and securely detachably mounted upon the running board.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying my invention, showing a box mounted upon the running board of an automobile,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device showing the legs employed to hold the box element elevated,

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the same,

Figure 4 is a side elevation of a pair of legs, in the open position,

Figure 5 is a similar view, showing the legs collapsed,

Figure 6 is a vertical section taken on line '66 of Figure 3, the legs being omitted,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary plan view of a pair of the legs,

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the box, showing the detachable connecting means,

Figure 9 is a transverse vertical sectlon taken on line 9-9 of Figure 8, and,

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the elements of the connecting means,-the same being separated for the purpose of illustration.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration, is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention the numeral 10 designates a box element, having a lid or top 11, which may be hinged thereto, and held closed by a lock 12 or other suitable device. The box element 10 is detachably clamped to the running board 13 of an automobile.

Arranged at each end of the box element 10 are handle-sockets 13, which may be formed of sheet metal, or other suitable material. These handle-sockets are generally inverted U-shaped, with their tops and bottoms open. These handle-sockets have flanges 14, attached to the ends of the box element by screws or bolts 15. The lower edge of the handle-socket is preferably rolled, as inclicated at 16,.providing a convenient grip.

Adapted for insertion within each handle socket 13 is a pair of inclined upwardly converging legs 17, which are permanently pivotally connected at their upper ends, by means of a leaf hinge 18, secured to the sides thereof, as shown. At their upper ends, the legs 17 have parallel faces 19, which are adapted to contact with each other, thereby taking most of the strain off of the hinge. The legs 17 are preferably cut away, beneath and adjacent to the hinge 18, at 20, affording a hand holding space or recess. 1

In Figures 8 to 10, inclusive, I have shown connecting devices which are particularly Well adapted for securing the box 10 to the running board. These connecting devices embody straps or bars 21, preferably formed of metal, which are arranged near the ends of the box element 10, and rigidly attached thereto by bolts 22. These straps or bars 21 extend transversely beneath the bottom of the box element with spacing elements 23 between the same which are also held in place by the bolts 22. At their outer ends, these straps or bars are bent downwardly at a right angle affording a lateral extension or ear 24, adapted to be arranged adjacent to the vertical ears 25 which are bolted to the bottom of the running board 13, at its outer edge, as shown at 26. The ears 24: and 25 are apertured for receiving clamping bolts 27, preferably carrying winged nuts 28.

Mounted upon the top of the running board 13 and rigidly secured thereto near its inner edge are strap-sockets 29, positioned in transverse alinement with the stationary ears 25. These strap-sockets are adapted to slidably receive the inner ends of the straps or bars 21.

The box element 10 may be mounted upon the running board 13, and detachably clamped thereto by any suitable means, preferably by means of the connecting devices shown in Figures 8 to 10, inclusive. This box element-may be removed'from' the running board and a pair of the legs 17 inserted in each of the handle-sockets 13.

provide a suitable recess or'space so*that the hand may beinserted within the handle socket 1 3,. forei'lecting a convenient manual shifting 'ofthe box element. When the'legs are withdrawn from the handle-sockets, these handle-sockets may then be. used as ordinary handles. The legs in each pair are collapsible; Figure 5, and may, be packed within the box element and will take up the least space.

Itis to be understood that the form of my invention, herewith shown and, described, isto be taken as a preferred example ofthe same, andthatvarious changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts, maybe resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the subf riined' claim. I

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

Andevicezof-the character described, comprising a member to be supported, a handlesocket. secured. to the member and tapering upwardly, a pair of upwardly converging legs-adaptedto have their upper ends 1nsertedwithin the handle-socket, such upper ends having contacting edges which are adapted to be substantially verticalwhen the legs areinl the upright position, and a hinge'connecting the upper ends of the legs and havingits axis of turning movementsubstantially parallel with the contacting edges, the-arrangement of the hinge being such that 'one' leg is adapted to be turned generallyupon its longitudinal axis and to be folded fiat upon the, side of the companion leg.

' In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JOSEPH L SMITH. 

